Cheerfully Observing Thread

 Here’s a look at everything that was posted on my instagram account over the past few months. I didn’t do a blog post for all of them, but they were all completed projects!  Hemingway Pouch from Center Street Quilts Infinity Scarf New Look 6142 Dual Colored Flannel Scarf Top New Look 6344/Pants Butterick 5963 Knit Scarf Pants Alterations  Wool Vest Simplicity 1499 Butterick Coat B6385 Simplicity Top 1716/Butterick 6847 Two Fabric Infinity Scarf Corduroy Skirt Burda 6147 Hot Pads and Potholders  (Courthouse Steps, Folded Star, Quilt as You Go, and Folded Star) Kwik Sew Top K4160 Infinity Scarf Flannel Scarf  Lace Vest Wool Pants Vogue V1741 New Look 6142 & Simplicity 8268

  I wore this blue top the other day to work and then for a Frosted Coffee run afterwards (I’m trying very hard to think spring these days, despite temps not quite there yet…). I used an old Simplicity pattern, but Butterick 6847 would work as well (neither has lace, I just measured around the bottom once it was together and bought enough to add). I couldn’t find stretch lace locally that was as wide as I had pictured in my head, so I’ll have to be a little careful when sitting down, but I just love how the white lace really makes the whole outfit pop! 

So, spring is supposed to be on the way now that it’s March, right? Perhaps not so much in this neck of the Midwest! Since the heat is still running frequently, my skin is continuing to protest at how dry conditions are, so I thought I’d share a few winter skincare favorites, along with the pajamas I made from New Look pattern #6142. This is one of my favorite pajama patterns - I’ve been using it forever and I think I have at least three pairs from it at the moment!   These are my go-to skincare products, most of them year round.  With a few exceptions, I usually keep duplicates of them around, so that I have one at home and one in my work bag at all times.   Let's be honest - just about every blogger lists Laneige lip sleeping mask as their top one.  For a good reason!  I've tried many other brands, but none of them ever measure up.  I do like BKR's Paris Water Balm for during the day.  It comes in a few different tints, but I keep the clear one around for over my lipstick

Have you ever paid the price for your laziness? A while back, I bought a pair of khaki pants for a company I was new to. I wasn’t sure on the sizing, so I guessed based on their sizing chart. They turned out to be just a little big (but perfect for winter when I’d need them to fit over long underwear), so I ordered a second pair a size smaller. A few months later, I noticed they offered the same pants in navy blue, but instead of checking my email to get the correct size, I relied on my memory. Which was off. By a lot. They were WAY too small. I could actually get them on (lots of Lycra in the fabric!), but my legs looked like sausages in casings. I wanted to exchange them, but by then the company was sold out in my size. I needed navy pants, so I hauled off to the fabric store, got the closest navy poplin I could find, and got to work fixing them.  First I opened up the entire inseam through the crotch and inserted a 3” piece…  Then I opened up the sides and put in gussets…  Now, desp